This scenic city nestled in the Doon valley is the capital of Uttarakhand , the northern state of India previously known as Uttaranchal. Dehradun is one of the famous tourist destinations in Uttaranchal and attracts a large number of tourists every year.

Location:
Dehradun is flanked by the Himalayas in the North, the Shivalik range in the south, the Yamuna river to its west and the Ganges to its east. The city is located in the North western side of the state and adjoins the districts of Uttarkashi, Pauri Garhwal, Hardwar, Nahan (Himachal Pradesh) and Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh).

History:
Dehra is a variation of the word dera which means camp, or a temporary abode. A group of Sikhs led by Ram Rai on being ordered by the Mughul emperor Aurangzeb to retire to the forests had pitched temporary tents in this area. Dun is the name of the valley and the word means low land at the foot of a mountain.

The district is part of the Garhwal Himalayan region previously known as Kedar Khand. This region has been under the reigns of many ruling lines including the Katyuris, Gurkhas, Sikhs, Mughuls and the British. The British gained control of the region as a consequence of the treaty of Sugauli signed after the war with Gurkhas in 1816.

Tourist attractions in Dehradun:
Dehradun is a popular tourist spot and a tour to Dehradun includes visits to the many tourist attractions in the city as well as the many tourist spots near Dehradun. The tourist attractions in Dehradun include many academic institutions and research institutes besides many sites of religious important and natural beauty. The major tourist attractions in Dehradun are �

Tapovan :� it is believed to be the location of the ashram of guru Dronacharya , a character of the great Indian epic, Mahabharata.

Robber�s cave :� it is a famous view point and a scenic spot situated outside the city.

Tapkeshwar Temple :� an old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is believed to be associated with the Mahabharata.

Dakpatthar :� it is a popular spot offering splendid views of the Doon valley.

Central Braille Press :- this is the largest producer of Braille text books in India.

Maldevta, Sahasradhara, Lacchiwala, Santhla Devi, laxman Sidh temple and Malsi deer park are some other tourist spots in and around Dehradun. The hill station of Mussorie is 36 kilometers from the city. The famous Sikh pilgrimage center, Pointa Sahib is situated nearby on the banks of Yamuna. Hardwar and Rishikesh are the other two major tourist destinations in Uttarakhand enar Dehradun.

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